So, You Want to Take a Christmas Vacation

Spending Christmas in the mountains seemed like such a great idea. We weren't going to take that much, I thought. We'll make ornaments for a tree that we will cut down at a tree farm so we won't need to take mine from home. That's true. But you do have to take all the presents for 13 people and three dogs. And everyone has to take their necessaries. And then there's the food. So...

The trip up becomes something akin to a pain in the ass from the beginning.

I love the cabin in the mountains. The location is just about perfect and the views are quite lovely. But it was easier when we headed up after Christmas in 2014.

Here are a few things I discovered about vacationing the week of Christmas:

1. It might be easier to just put your house on a trailer and haul it wherever you want to go.
2. Check the prices at the local grocery stores. It was less expensive to do my shopping before leaving. But you'll have to buy a marine size cooler. And a truck to haul it.
3. If you prefer a cabin in the mountains, be careful. I took the dog out for a walk on Christmas Eve, heard an odd noise and realized, quite quickly, that wildlife is great. On television. 
4. If you sleep late on Christmas morning, your adult sisters will awaken you by banging pots outside your door. Or in your ear.
5. Make everyone responsible for a meal and clean-up.
6. Take those early morning walks. Some wildlife is beautiful. Like whitetail deer.
7. Take quiet people with you. Taking someone who makes a noise  of some sort 24/7 will make you want to jump off the very mountain you enjoy viewing every day.
8. If you do have a truck and take it, don't let anyone put anything on TOP of the tarp by insisting it will be fine. Even if it is, it will drive you batty all the way home.
9. If the driver insists on staying in the fast lane and riding people's asses, get out and walk. Even if it's 200 miles to home.
10. Keep your sunglasses handy. Should the sun decide to make an appearance after six straight days of cloud cover and rain, you will need them. Seriously. It will be like a vampire seeing sunlight for the first time. But appreciate the dreary, foggy days. Because you don't have to look at the steep hill you
11. If your little pup hates riding in the car, research what you can give him to chill him out. Or call the vet.
12. If you take soap and others do not, remove your soap from the bathroom or you won't have any either.
13. If you find a rustic cabin that was built in 1900 and was the stage coach relay station close to your vacation cabin and that 1900 cabin is for sale, buy right then and there. Else someone will buy it right out from under you. (Sad, sad face. With tears.)
14. If you have girly girls with you, make sure you have enough bathrooms. Good grief they take a lot of time in the bathroom.
15. Make sure you have something on which to write or to record as you will find yourself waxing poetic whether you fancy yourself a poet or not. 

The girls and I have decided that, for Christmas this year, we will stay home. When I think of all that I had to endure on this trip, I'd rather wait until after the holiday festivities. Plus, there will be a new little girl in our midst and I would much rather spend time with her than cooking for and cleaning up after her aunties. 

After Christmas, however, we'll be back at our mountain escape. Or maybe I'll just slip away quietly. They won't notice a thing until they get hungry or have to wash a dish. Ha!

What are your thoughts on vacationing the week of Christmas?

The cabin someone bought right out from under me. 

Foggy days are great for hiding the steep hills you are walking